Page 35 of More, Daddy
“No.”
His smile is fast and big. “So there is something.”
“No.”
Somehow, his smile gets bigger. “Too late. Already caught you so just tell me what it is you’re so engrossed in on that phone and in turn, I promise that Riley won’t tell anyone.”
I snort. “You’re not even gonna promise not to tell your girl?” Jo Jo’s horse whinnies, and I walk her in a circle while staying focused on Jake.
Jake starts the journey toward the end of his property line, and I follow him. “I don’t wanna lie to you, West. Because unlike you, I am not a liar.”
I roll my eyes, but he just laughs. “There’s nothing to tell, that’s the truth.”
The late fall air licks against my cheeks as the horses pick up pace. The sun hangs low in the sky, and the dirt rising up from the ground smells like my childhood. Outdoors, sunshine, animals and freedom. As much as I didn’t want to go for the ride, I’m glad I did.
“Tell me about it, then,” Jake says, then adds, “and if you say it’s nothing, I’m gonna make something up to tell Riley, and then she’s gonna be around campus, knowing fake secrets about you.” He whistles. “You don’t want that.”
I snort again. “Gee, what a pal you are.”
He snaps the reins, and our horses carry us quicker, the feel of wind against my chest making me feel confident.
I glance at him then back at the open pasture ahead. “I met a teacher through an anonymous dating app, and we hit it off but we haven’t exchanged names yet.”
“I thought you hate online dating.”
I shake my head. “That’s Dean who hates online dating. And…I don’t like it but c’mon, it’s a means to an end. I realize that Mrs. Right isn’t going to trip and fall into my lap. I have to look for her.”
He arches a brow, as the sun crests in the sky, casting an orange glow over Jake’s profile. “So what do you know about her?”
“She’s a teacher somewhere in the county. She’s funny and smart, and talking to her feels like sinking your feet into warm sand on the beach during vacation. Peaceful, recharging, perfect, you know?”
Jake blinks at me a moment before gazing off into the distance. He points to a spot near a water well. “We’ll turn around over there, come back the same way we went out.”
I nod.
He looks my way again. “I know exactly what you mean. That feeling is one to hold onto.”
I nod again, this time more energetically because Jake is the first person to mirror my thoughts. If things withDaddysGirlare going so well, that means something. It’s not a fluke. I should pursue revealing our identities and turning this into something tangible, something I can hold and touch and kiss. Something real.
“So now you know,” I say finally, not sure how much more I want to divulge. “I’m getting to know someone… and it feels like… the real thing.”
Jake doesn’t ask me any other questions for the rest of ourride, but the act of sharing with someone in my real life changes me. On my drive home, I am determined to move things forward withDaddysGirl. We shared our professions, now it’s time to take it a step further.
No more wasting fucking precious time.
I checkmy email on my phone as the shower heats up. Still no word from her.
It’s fine. Because after my shower, I’m going to get online, andshe’s going to be online, and we’re going to fucking talk.
She knows I like to explore the role of kinky daddy dom, so she shouldn’t be surprised or take issue with me changing the course of our relationship. After all, that’s what good daddies do, right?They guide.
I don’t care that we agreed to move slowly. She said herself that she wants me, so if she wants me the way she says, she’ll have no problem leveling up.
I have to level this shit up. To know it’s real. I swear to God, one more conversation that ends with her getting offline without reason, or without me being able to communicate with her again, will drive me over the edge to the bad place. The place where I start to gaslight myself, start wondering if this is even real, ifsheis even real.
Tonight, she’s gonna give more to Daddy, or we’re done.
I don’t bother getting gratuitous with myself in the shower—I’m not in the mood. All day of stewing and overthinking has me on edge. The conversation with Jake, wherein I basically admitted I’m stupidly falling in love with a complete stranger—has me more on edge.
